I think you are doing a fine job actually. I would take Flavio's advice here. While the checkerboard is impressive, there are places you can skim units out to be better used in getting your linear defenses in shape. That's the real purpose of the checkerboard is to provide your main defensive line time to get into shape.
41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Moderators: Joel Billings, Sabre21
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CarnageINC
- Posts: 2208
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RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Great intel analysis your doing, fine AAR by the way [;)]
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Another decent turn for the Motherland.
In the far north the finns get activated, yawn. I'm pulling everything back and leaving security regiments to exchange niceties with the finns for the next two years. Comrade P was nice enough not to encircle anything, so this should be a pretty uneventful pullback.
In the Northwest front, not a single attack was made and some panzers pullback to resupply (or change their axis of advance). This is the price ComradeP pays for waiting so long to take Riga (which fell this turn) only next turn will he have a functioning railhead across the Dvina.
In the center front Hoth's panzercorps approaches Vitebsk, but was not able to isolate any troops. Now he could cross the Dvina and punch northwards, but that is highly unlikely, especially since Vitebsk is on the wrong side of the river. For von P to turn the last of AGC's armor north would basically guarantee Smolensk's security, plus the terrain is illsuited for tanks. As such the focus here will be to protect Vitebsk and the landbridge to Smolensk.
A wider view of the center front, and there are basically two possibilites. Either an encirclement is in the works with Hoth to the north and XXXXVII panzer corps in the bottom, or those two motorized divisions are going to turn south to threaten Kiev. Now the Berezina river narrows right in front of 29th motorized division. And I expect von P will attempt to cross it to then attack 31st tank through clear terrain. As such we're going to reinforce that hex, breaking the checkerboard, and force von P to burn the MPs.
As for the swamps, well they've been a little too succesful. Basically we have created a giant Salient in the pripyat marshes, which needs to pullback so as to defend the river line. If not some ten divisions will get cut off and the backdoor to Kiev will be open.
In the South von P has advanced less than what was expected, 60 miles instead of 90, a large number of airdrops standing as testament to an awful supply situation. Despite me doing everything but rollng out a red carpet, Kleist has not turned south, and the two panzer armies have converged into a massive battering ram. Only 3 divisions were pocketed, and the checkerboard will continue to condense into a firm defensive line. We expect him to be on the outskirts of Kiev by next turn, followed by an attempt in late July/early August to cross the Dnepr river line.
As for Romania, you know the drill. I was suprised that the division defending Riga was not shattered, but instead routed to a nearby port. As such we shall be leaving a defensive garrison in Odessa, and let Comrade P figure it out. We've been digging defenses around the Crimean straights for two turns now, and will continue to do so.
And in other news, the Red Armies strength has ticked past 4 million men, which makes us all happy. Notice the sharp drop in destroyed divisions, the second turn was the Minsk pocket, the third turn was most of the southern pocket, and this last turn consisted in great part of fortified divisions and the remains of the southern pocket. All losses from now on are from my mistakes, and not von Ps opening moves. Lastly Pavlov gets a visit from the NKVD, which is odd since he has not yet lost a single major city and whilst his win-loss record is awful (5-65), Shaposhnikov's is even worse (0-62). Oh well, comrade Stalin wants results, not excuses.
In the far north the finns get activated, yawn. I'm pulling everything back and leaving security regiments to exchange niceties with the finns for the next two years. Comrade P was nice enough not to encircle anything, so this should be a pretty uneventful pullback.
In the Northwest front, not a single attack was made and some panzers pullback to resupply (or change their axis of advance). This is the price ComradeP pays for waiting so long to take Riga (which fell this turn) only next turn will he have a functioning railhead across the Dvina.
In the center front Hoth's panzercorps approaches Vitebsk, but was not able to isolate any troops. Now he could cross the Dvina and punch northwards, but that is highly unlikely, especially since Vitebsk is on the wrong side of the river. For von P to turn the last of AGC's armor north would basically guarantee Smolensk's security, plus the terrain is illsuited for tanks. As such the focus here will be to protect Vitebsk and the landbridge to Smolensk.
A wider view of the center front, and there are basically two possibilites. Either an encirclement is in the works with Hoth to the north and XXXXVII panzer corps in the bottom, or those two motorized divisions are going to turn south to threaten Kiev. Now the Berezina river narrows right in front of 29th motorized division. And I expect von P will attempt to cross it to then attack 31st tank through clear terrain. As such we're going to reinforce that hex, breaking the checkerboard, and force von P to burn the MPs.
As for the swamps, well they've been a little too succesful. Basically we have created a giant Salient in the pripyat marshes, which needs to pullback so as to defend the river line. If not some ten divisions will get cut off and the backdoor to Kiev will be open.
In the South von P has advanced less than what was expected, 60 miles instead of 90, a large number of airdrops standing as testament to an awful supply situation. Despite me doing everything but rollng out a red carpet, Kleist has not turned south, and the two panzer armies have converged into a massive battering ram. Only 3 divisions were pocketed, and the checkerboard will continue to condense into a firm defensive line. We expect him to be on the outskirts of Kiev by next turn, followed by an attempt in late July/early August to cross the Dnepr river line.
As for Romania, you know the drill. I was suprised that the division defending Riga was not shattered, but instead routed to a nearby port. As such we shall be leaving a defensive garrison in Odessa, and let Comrade P figure it out. We've been digging defenses around the Crimean straights for two turns now, and will continue to do so.
And in other news, the Red Armies strength has ticked past 4 million men, which makes us all happy. Notice the sharp drop in destroyed divisions, the second turn was the Minsk pocket, the third turn was most of the southern pocket, and this last turn consisted in great part of fortified divisions and the remains of the southern pocket. All losses from now on are from my mistakes, and not von Ps opening moves. Lastly Pavlov gets a visit from the NKVD, which is odd since he has not yet lost a single major city and whilst his win-loss record is awful (5-65), Shaposhnikov's is even worse (0-62). Oh well, comrade Stalin wants results, not excuses.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
I'm a little concerned with your defense in the center. You should be digging in behind the Dnepr and also creating a line on the narrow landbridge with the Dvina and Dnepr as anchors. It's true that he's not pushing hard here, but still.
Looks like he had to take breather this turn for logistical reasons.
Looks like he had to take breather this turn for logistical reasons.
WitE Alpha Tester
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Pavlov does a lot of dying.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Well operation vengeance continues unabated for another turn, of note here are an almost equal number of losses on both sides (which in Soviet terms means crushing victory), 5 88s destroyed (out of 6 for the entire campaign) and 4 fuel dumps. The targets were panzercorps headquarters and JU-52 airbases.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Turn 4 is sent to von P and we can now only hope.
On the Northern Front, we have the luxury of setting up armies (with proper C&C no less!). There are 3 routes of advance here, one taking the 'long way' around (I saw John do this in an AAR), one going straight through Novgorod and the longest one, that swings around but avoids most of the bad terrain. Meanwhile the other armies dig, dig, dig.
On the Northwestern Front, the three panzercorps, rested but still in an anwful supply situation (no railhead across the Dvina this turn), can either strike northeast, or try to snake around and isolate Pskov. The task here for Northeastern front is to delay. Around the Velkie Luki area, should von P press here, it is possible to build an incredible defensive line in the marshes. Though Velkie Luki isn't important, it's important for the Axis to clear this area or else it's an obvious staging ground for the winter counteroffensives.
The Western Front got its first alotment of reserves since the beginning of the war. They are in charge of protecting the Dnepr river and the Smolensk land bridge. The northern pzrcorp will probably attempt to blow its way through to Vitebsk, the infantry will probably advance straight up the center. The real question here is what the southern motorised divisions wll do. We have formed a line along the river, to force them to burn the MPs. But von P has not yet shown his hand, and I don't know if he plans to move south towards Gomel and Kiev, or North to attempt to isolate my divisions and towards Mogilev. Its just two divisions, and they are in an awful supply situation, but this has me worried.
In the South, following the doctrine of compression, the checkerboard has been reduced as von P is expected to press to the outskirts of Kiev. There are three things we want to avoid for next turn: a considerable encirclement (more than 5 divisions) west of Kiev, any of those fortified hexes falling, and a bridge head on the Dnepr. We have distributed units acordingly. Notice also that the German tankers have been taking it on the chin as far as Axis casualties go, and their CVs are beginning to drop. Its the trade off for this wrecking ball strategy. I can't stop it, but its also eroding the strength of the Reich's best soldiers.
On the Romanian front, another pull back. Southern Front is going to go through some big changes next week. As von P has maneuvered 17th Army north, he's aparently content to leave the Romanians to their 20 miles-a-week advance. We have sent two rifle divisions to defend the lvl 4 fort in Odessa, and its up to comrade P to deal with it. With the vast number of cavalry reinforcements I recieved last turn, Im planning on forming a cavalry army to make the Romanians pay. Without Axis support, those Romanians are awfully vulnerable.
Finally, as for admin points the lion's share went towards disbanding motorcycle regiments, AA batalions and sapper batalions. Stupidly I ended the turn with 60k rail cap, forgetting to evacuate factories (I wanted to start evacuating those huge factorie in Kharkov this turn)
On the Northern Front, we have the luxury of setting up armies (with proper C&C no less!). There are 3 routes of advance here, one taking the 'long way' around (I saw John do this in an AAR), one going straight through Novgorod and the longest one, that swings around but avoids most of the bad terrain. Meanwhile the other armies dig, dig, dig.
On the Northwestern Front, the three panzercorps, rested but still in an anwful supply situation (no railhead across the Dvina this turn), can either strike northeast, or try to snake around and isolate Pskov. The task here for Northeastern front is to delay. Around the Velkie Luki area, should von P press here, it is possible to build an incredible defensive line in the marshes. Though Velkie Luki isn't important, it's important for the Axis to clear this area or else it's an obvious staging ground for the winter counteroffensives.
The Western Front got its first alotment of reserves since the beginning of the war. They are in charge of protecting the Dnepr river and the Smolensk land bridge. The northern pzrcorp will probably attempt to blow its way through to Vitebsk, the infantry will probably advance straight up the center. The real question here is what the southern motorised divisions wll do. We have formed a line along the river, to force them to burn the MPs. But von P has not yet shown his hand, and I don't know if he plans to move south towards Gomel and Kiev, or North to attempt to isolate my divisions and towards Mogilev. Its just two divisions, and they are in an awful supply situation, but this has me worried.
In the South, following the doctrine of compression, the checkerboard has been reduced as von P is expected to press to the outskirts of Kiev. There are three things we want to avoid for next turn: a considerable encirclement (more than 5 divisions) west of Kiev, any of those fortified hexes falling, and a bridge head on the Dnepr. We have distributed units acordingly. Notice also that the German tankers have been taking it on the chin as far as Axis casualties go, and their CVs are beginning to drop. Its the trade off for this wrecking ball strategy. I can't stop it, but its also eroding the strength of the Reich's best soldiers.
On the Romanian front, another pull back. Southern Front is going to go through some big changes next week. As von P has maneuvered 17th Army north, he's aparently content to leave the Romanians to their 20 miles-a-week advance. We have sent two rifle divisions to defend the lvl 4 fort in Odessa, and its up to comrade P to deal with it. With the vast number of cavalry reinforcements I recieved last turn, Im planning on forming a cavalry army to make the Romanians pay. Without Axis support, those Romanians are awfully vulnerable.
Finally, as for admin points the lion's share went towards disbanding motorcycle regiments, AA batalions and sapper batalions. Stupidly I ended the turn with 60k rail cap, forgetting to evacuate factories (I wanted to start evacuating those huge factorie in Kharkov this turn)
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findmeifyoucan
- Posts: 579
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RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Hey, guys. I have a question on this game. Do the Germans have Amphibious capability in the Baltic? If so then Riga falls on turn 1! LOL
I have also found that contruction and RR units are like gold in games like this. Especially for the Germans because with Railheads comes combat supply! LOL
Have not purchased the game yet but will soon by the sounds of it.
Tony
I have also found that contruction and RR units are like gold in games like this. Especially for the Germans because with Railheads comes combat supply! LOL
Have not purchased the game yet but will soon by the sounds of it.
Tony
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
So von P wishes me a happy new year by sending me turn 5.
A quick note before we get started. It seems Operation Vengeance was a little too sucesful and we have decided to establish a House Rule banning all ground attacks and airfield attacks for the time being. Pity as I was really enjoying blowing up those fuel dumps. From now on the red airforce is limited to ground support and air drops. Stalin's orders.
Leningrad remains safe as can be, no enemy has yet made contact with a single northern front formation. I've been told that some axis players can each the outskirts of Leningrad by turn 8, but given von Ps maneuvering (and unwillingness to attack swamps, it will probably be a month (turn 10 roundabouts) before the defenses are seriously threatened. Besides the immediate fortifications, we have 23rd and 7th independent armies taking up defensive positions in the awful swampy terrain to the south of the city and 34th blocking the narrow land bridge.
In Northeastern Fronts sctor, von P has unveiled a new doctrine. He has not conducted a single attack, opting instead to burn the mps and encircle units in the swamps. Now while this preserves his force, it also means he advanced all of 30 miles this turn and has yet to clear Northeastern fronts checkerboard. Also he has advanced in a 270 degree arch, which has the benefit of concealing his intended axis of advance, but on the other hand this reduces his ability to advance and exploit, not to mention that his supply lines will be a mess next turn as everything runs next to a Soviet formation. In the end, a turns worth of fuel was burned to isolate two divisions, an empty airbase and a corps HQ. I am considering pulling back the other units to form more rigid lines along Velkie Luki, lake Ilmen and the forests south of Leningrad. Every turn I can keep him muddling along here is a turn Leningrad gets to dig.
In the center von P advanced exactly along the routes I expected him to. He is now next to Vitebsk and has made contact with 29th Army guarding the Smolensk land bridge. The infantry have advanced along the clear terrain and a slug fest should ensue. As he has shown his hand, I can better reinforce this area with mobile troops I've been keeping embarked near Moscow. Expect a more active defense here. This is where he is weak.
To the south of Smolensk, near Mogilev, von P did what I expected and forced a bridgehead, but this comes at a price, only 20 miles advanced. This is the consequence of trying to do a panzer army's job with a motorized corp. I still don't know if he plans to turn these troops north or south. Time to pull back to the riverline, which must hold as long as Kiev holds.
In the Ukraine, von P has still not made contact with the main defensive line. Instead he has opted to maneuver his units trying to trap as much as he can west of the Dnepr. Notice he even sent some panzers into the swamps. I'll trade 5 divisions for an extra turn of digging any day. I'm contemplating a general pull back this turn to the river line, setting up strong mechanized reserves and waiting for the assault on turn 7 (one turn to advance the infantry and to pause for logistics, then one turn to assault somewhere along the line.
In the far south, digging continues in the Crimea. As 17th army has turned north to support the inevitable assault across the Dnepr, the Romanians are on their own doing their 20-mile a week cross country hike. Thus I will be forming a cavalry army here (since I have vastly more cavalry then I know what to do with) and will be doing cavalry raids all across the vast open nothingness of the Ukraine. (The soviets did much the same thing). Southern fronts strong mechanized forces are going to go help out Kiev's defense.
A quick note before we get started. It seems Operation Vengeance was a little too sucesful and we have decided to establish a House Rule banning all ground attacks and airfield attacks for the time being. Pity as I was really enjoying blowing up those fuel dumps. From now on the red airforce is limited to ground support and air drops. Stalin's orders.
Leningrad remains safe as can be, no enemy has yet made contact with a single northern front formation. I've been told that some axis players can each the outskirts of Leningrad by turn 8, but given von Ps maneuvering (and unwillingness to attack swamps, it will probably be a month (turn 10 roundabouts) before the defenses are seriously threatened. Besides the immediate fortifications, we have 23rd and 7th independent armies taking up defensive positions in the awful swampy terrain to the south of the city and 34th blocking the narrow land bridge.
In Northeastern Fronts sctor, von P has unveiled a new doctrine. He has not conducted a single attack, opting instead to burn the mps and encircle units in the swamps. Now while this preserves his force, it also means he advanced all of 30 miles this turn and has yet to clear Northeastern fronts checkerboard. Also he has advanced in a 270 degree arch, which has the benefit of concealing his intended axis of advance, but on the other hand this reduces his ability to advance and exploit, not to mention that his supply lines will be a mess next turn as everything runs next to a Soviet formation. In the end, a turns worth of fuel was burned to isolate two divisions, an empty airbase and a corps HQ. I am considering pulling back the other units to form more rigid lines along Velkie Luki, lake Ilmen and the forests south of Leningrad. Every turn I can keep him muddling along here is a turn Leningrad gets to dig.
In the center von P advanced exactly along the routes I expected him to. He is now next to Vitebsk and has made contact with 29th Army guarding the Smolensk land bridge. The infantry have advanced along the clear terrain and a slug fest should ensue. As he has shown his hand, I can better reinforce this area with mobile troops I've been keeping embarked near Moscow. Expect a more active defense here. This is where he is weak.
To the south of Smolensk, near Mogilev, von P did what I expected and forced a bridgehead, but this comes at a price, only 20 miles advanced. This is the consequence of trying to do a panzer army's job with a motorized corp. I still don't know if he plans to turn these troops north or south. Time to pull back to the riverline, which must hold as long as Kiev holds.
In the Ukraine, von P has still not made contact with the main defensive line. Instead he has opted to maneuver his units trying to trap as much as he can west of the Dnepr. Notice he even sent some panzers into the swamps. I'll trade 5 divisions for an extra turn of digging any day. I'm contemplating a general pull back this turn to the river line, setting up strong mechanized reserves and waiting for the assault on turn 7 (one turn to advance the infantry and to pause for logistics, then one turn to assault somewhere along the line.
In the far south, digging continues in the Crimea. As 17th army has turned north to support the inevitable assault across the Dnepr, the Romanians are on their own doing their 20-mile a week cross country hike. Thus I will be forming a cavalry army here (since I have vastly more cavalry then I know what to do with) and will be doing cavalry raids all across the vast open nothingness of the Ukraine. (The soviets did much the same thing). Southern fronts strong mechanized forces are going to go help out Kiev's defense.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Update: Well, well, well, we've finally caught von P off guard. I had a cavalry division near Vitebsk on refit and it had enough movement point to isolate a panzer and motorized division. Furthermore, since von P does airdrops over HQs and not the actual units, they are going to be awfully low on supplies next turn. Now there are two options here. I can be happy with the isolation (which will get smashed next turn, these are 1-1 units) OR I can throw the kitchen sink at von P. He has nowhere to retreat to, so anything but a hold here means these units rout or shatter, which would cripple him in the center for at least 3-4 turns. Advice from my STAVKA liasons would be appreciated here.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
kill the armor unit-throw everything at it and leave the moto ...i dont think you can take both of them out on the same turn-von p will need to take a personal morale check after your next turn hehe
plus the armor in nice fresh clear terrain unlike the moto
plus the armor in nice fresh clear terrain unlike the moto
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
I'd be all over that panzer division like white on rice. Hell, yes, counterattack that sucker and rout it back to Berlin, lol.
The motorized unit will be a bit tougher due to the terrain. But take a shot at it anyways.
The motorized unit will be a bit tougher due to the terrain. But take a shot at it anyways.
WitE Alpha Tester
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Maslennikov's patriotic 29th Army inflicts upon the Fascists invaders their first defeat in a glorious counterattack! 12th Panzer Division has been routed! (How it managed to rout instead of shatter I dunno, but I'll take what I can get). Give 'em Guards status! Maslennikov recomended for the Order of Lenin.
As this basically required everything 29th Army had, I'm slightly apprehensive about the defense of Smolensk land bridge at the momment. Then again von P has just lost 1/3 of AGC's mobile force.
As this basically required everything 29th Army had, I'm slightly apprehensive about the defense of Smolensk land bridge at the momment. Then again von P has just lost 1/3 of AGC's mobile force.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
You won't be seeing any shatters. This just doesn't happen to the Germans in 1941. They'll rout every time.
You might on occasion shatter some of the Axis minors, though.
You might on occasion shatter some of the Axis minors, though.
WitE Alpha Tester
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
So now that things have cooled off a bit, I have decided to rip off Haudroff 1962 and made a mega image map. Its fairly self explanatory, so I'll keep the comments here to a minimum. For the first time in the war, full command and control has been restablished. Doctrine right now is 40 miles of frontage per army acompanied by at least two artillery regiments and 2 construction batalions, plus other random support elements. Southwest and Western front have taken static defensive positions, deploying cavalry screens to slow down the fascist advance. I assume that von P will pause for logistical reasons next turn before attempting to establish a bridgehead across the Dnepr. In other words, the battle for Kiev should begin in earnest in the first days of August.
For this von P has concentrated two panzergroups and three infantry armies. He certaintly has the forces to perform a double envelopment of the city, the problem is he doesn't have the terrain. From Kiev to Chernigov the left and right banks of the Dnepr consist of swamps. This is what has bothered me since the first turn, I simply don't know what von P's plan of attack is. As such, I will wait until next turn to concentrate my armor (I'm considering creating a new army under Rokossovsky next turn to concentrate all of Southwest Front's armour, suggestions are welcome).
In the center its now clear that von P has an entire infantry army moving on Vitebsk from the North, there's too many divisions there for this to be a screen, 11th Army has adjusted to block their advance. In the North there is one army blocking every possible axis of advance into Leningrad. In the far south we have formed the 38th Cavalry Army, and I will begin harrasing the Romanians next turn. Hopefully 3 straight turns of pullbacks from Southern Front will have lulled Comrade P into complacency. If I hit the Romanians hard enough, he might wheel 17th Army south, and that's one less fascist army threatening Kiev.
For this von P has concentrated two panzergroups and three infantry armies. He certaintly has the forces to perform a double envelopment of the city, the problem is he doesn't have the terrain. From Kiev to Chernigov the left and right banks of the Dnepr consist of swamps. This is what has bothered me since the first turn, I simply don't know what von P's plan of attack is. As such, I will wait until next turn to concentrate my armor (I'm considering creating a new army under Rokossovsky next turn to concentrate all of Southwest Front's armour, suggestions are welcome).
In the center its now clear that von P has an entire infantry army moving on Vitebsk from the North, there's too many divisions there for this to be a screen, 11th Army has adjusted to block their advance. In the North there is one army blocking every possible axis of advance into Leningrad. In the far south we have formed the 38th Cavalry Army, and I will begin harrasing the Romanians next turn. Hopefully 3 straight turns of pullbacks from Southern Front will have lulled Comrade P into complacency. If I hit the Romanians hard enough, he might wheel 17th Army south, and that's one less fascist army threatening Kiev.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Seems photobucket shrunk my picture, but I've gotten it to work through the embed function on the forums.
- Attachments
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RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
ORIGINAL: notenome
Well this is odd, my picture got shrunk!!!! That took a long time to make dammit. Anyone know what happened?
It's probably resized by the forum software to fit your upload cap. Your original should still exist on your hard drive and be unaffected. It is a damned nice looking map, from what I can see.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
An Army HQ can handle 3 construction battalions.
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Farfarer61
- Posts: 713
- Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:29 pm
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
In experimenting with sending armour south, i found that railroading in the T1 frozen Pz corps from in Poland directly to the Rumanian Front opposite the Kishinev Gap gives a great edge to the attack on T3 onwards. As noted above, sending more armour south makes it very tough in the centre.
I am unsure why ComradeP did not take Riga and Minsk from you in T1. Perhaps he is tempting you to defend forward so he can capture more of you
I am a fan of the Lvov-Tarnopol-Poskurov-Vinnitsa rail line, but that wont happen in this opening.
NKVD and Para Units seem to be able to endure multiple hasty attacks and retreats in the same turn before routing - I hate finding them defending prime panzer routes.
Good luck.
I am unsure why ComradeP did not take Riga and Minsk from you in T1. Perhaps he is tempting you to defend forward so he can capture more of you
I am a fan of the Lvov-Tarnopol-Poskurov-Vinnitsa rail line, but that wont happen in this opening.
NKVD and Para Units seem to be able to endure multiple hasty attacks and retreats in the same turn before routing - I hate finding them defending prime panzer routes.
Good luck.
RE: 41 Grand Campaign Me(sov) vs ComradeP (axis)
Von P just sent me his turn, a few twists but no major catastrophes.
In the North von P has pulled out the panzers and probably ensured the security of Leningrad, its very dificult to imagine that an infantry only force can take the city in 11 turns, especially when you consider that I still hold Pskov.
As for where the panzers went, well von P has changed their axis of advance. They have struck south and now there are 3 possibilities: The unlikeliest is a u-turn maneuver where he smashes past Velkie Luki and races up the light woods to Leningrad. The second is that he also attempts to smash Velkie Luki, but instead opts to drive straight to Rzhev and then Moscow. The third and likeliest is that he will continue his southward direction and strike at Vitebsk, flanking the forces defending the Smolensk landbridge. As such both Northwestern armies will pull back to the defensible terrain we'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
As for why I'm worried about Moscow, well let's say its pretty empty there. If von P uses HQ buildup, I'm screwed.
In the center von P has finally made contact with the Dnepr alongst its breadth. Notice the motorized division stacked with infantry near mogilev, this is probably where he will attempt to establish a bridgehead. Also notice the panzer and motorized divisions coming down from the north, if he was planning on sending them to AGS I think the would have railed them, so it seems likely they will be operating in this sector. To the south of Mogilev a large infantry force (probably 2nd Army) was sucesfully delayed by our cavalry screen from making contact with the Dnepr line, but an attack should occur here within 1 or 2 turns. Then we'll have to fight a delaying action (read: checkerboard) for as long as Kiev holds. Honestly our defense is pretty thin here, but I can't defend everywhere at once.
To the north of Kiev von P insists on trying to cut off as much as he can from reaching the Dnepr, even if it means sending panzers in the swamps. Notice the infantry screen in front of Kiev and the sudden dissapearence of much of his armor, which pretty much means that the attempted breakthrough will come to the south of the city.
And lo and behold, von P has shifted his axis of advance. The wrecking ball has turned south, away from Kiev, and towards Southern Front. There are three possibilites here. Either he's going to attempt to breach the Dnepr around Cherkassy, or he will attempt to encircle Southern Front by swinging further south, or he will drive the panzer wrecking ball far to the east where I do not have a defensive line around the Dnepr (yet). Despite what may be commonly believed, I don't have an infinite number of rifle divisions, so I've been using Southern front to screen the river line. Now I may be made to pay for it, but a bridgehed so far south? Near Poltava and Dnepropetvorsk? That just seems unfeasible. One way or another I believe von P will have to rest for at least a turn before making his move, so hopefully I'll be able to adjust, whatever his intentions.
In the far south the cavalry army will strike at the two Romanian formations with a 4-4 defensive rating. I only need 8 CV and given the Romanians poor morale this should give von P some grief, aside from that all is quiet.
In the North von P has pulled out the panzers and probably ensured the security of Leningrad, its very dificult to imagine that an infantry only force can take the city in 11 turns, especially when you consider that I still hold Pskov.
As for where the panzers went, well von P has changed their axis of advance. They have struck south and now there are 3 possibilities: The unlikeliest is a u-turn maneuver where he smashes past Velkie Luki and races up the light woods to Leningrad. The second is that he also attempts to smash Velkie Luki, but instead opts to drive straight to Rzhev and then Moscow. The third and likeliest is that he will continue his southward direction and strike at Vitebsk, flanking the forces defending the Smolensk landbridge. As such both Northwestern armies will pull back to the defensible terrain we'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
As for why I'm worried about Moscow, well let's say its pretty empty there. If von P uses HQ buildup, I'm screwed.
In the center von P has finally made contact with the Dnepr alongst its breadth. Notice the motorized division stacked with infantry near mogilev, this is probably where he will attempt to establish a bridgehead. Also notice the panzer and motorized divisions coming down from the north, if he was planning on sending them to AGS I think the would have railed them, so it seems likely they will be operating in this sector. To the south of Mogilev a large infantry force (probably 2nd Army) was sucesfully delayed by our cavalry screen from making contact with the Dnepr line, but an attack should occur here within 1 or 2 turns. Then we'll have to fight a delaying action (read: checkerboard) for as long as Kiev holds. Honestly our defense is pretty thin here, but I can't defend everywhere at once.
To the north of Kiev von P insists on trying to cut off as much as he can from reaching the Dnepr, even if it means sending panzers in the swamps. Notice the infantry screen in front of Kiev and the sudden dissapearence of much of his armor, which pretty much means that the attempted breakthrough will come to the south of the city.
And lo and behold, von P has shifted his axis of advance. The wrecking ball has turned south, away from Kiev, and towards Southern Front. There are three possibilites here. Either he's going to attempt to breach the Dnepr around Cherkassy, or he will attempt to encircle Southern Front by swinging further south, or he will drive the panzer wrecking ball far to the east where I do not have a defensive line around the Dnepr (yet). Despite what may be commonly believed, I don't have an infinite number of rifle divisions, so I've been using Southern front to screen the river line. Now I may be made to pay for it, but a bridgehed so far south? Near Poltava and Dnepropetvorsk? That just seems unfeasible. One way or another I believe von P will have to rest for at least a turn before making his move, so hopefully I'll be able to adjust, whatever his intentions.
In the far south the cavalry army will strike at the two Romanian formations with a 4-4 defensive rating. I only need 8 CV and given the Romanians poor morale this should give von P some grief, aside from that all is quiet.